Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Blown Attic Insulation

Cellulose insulation includes cellulose cells that have natural insulating power.

Cellulose vs fiberglass blown attic insulation.

This problem has been successfully solved by installing fiberglass batt insulation over the top of loose fill or blown insulation. The paper is broken down into cellular fibers that provide insulation. Making cellulose a better choice for homes in northern climates. It is made of shredded paper plus a fire retardant chemical known as a borate.

When comparing blown in insulation both fiberglass and cellulose are nearly identical in price both costing around 0 70 to 0 80 per square foot for 6 inches of insulation. Cellulose produces much less static than fiberglass. Fibreglass is perhaps the most common product available in the market for insulation outpacing its close competitor cellulose by 50 1. Assuming your current attic insulation is made from fiberglass and has a value of r 13 you d have to add roughly 10 inches of additional fiberglass to hit r 38.

More consistent pricing from cellulose manufacturers than fiberglass. The trapped air molecules in the insulation are pulled up through the insulation into the colder attic air. Cellulose is easier to keep out of bird blocks and air conditioner condensate pans. Fiberglass insulation contains billions of tiny glass fibers which contain trapped bubbles of air.

The bottom line is that cellulose can burn but fiberglass will not support combustion. Cellulose resists blowing when installed fiberglass tends to blow around stick to the attic ceiling and drift. The higher the r value the more efficient it is. Another important benefit from dense packed cellulose is its ability to limit air movement which cuts down on heat loss through convection.

According to research done at the oak ridge national lab fiberglass loses up to 50 of its r value in very cold conditions. Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation. At 3 5 per inch of material the r value of blown in cellulose is 23 better per inch than fiberglass batts. Another major weakness of fiberglass insulation which does nothing to stop air from passing through it.

Both fibreglass and cellulose are the two most inexpensive insulation products that you could use. You can get to the same place with either material. Or 7 inches of cellulose. Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk.

You can find high r value insulation produced in both fiberglass and blown cellulose.